The Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) on Monday announced that the 2014 Cosafa Cup will not take place this year.
The organisers said that “despite their best efforts”, they could not secure a host for the tournament during the period it is supposed to take place, hence the cancellation of the event.
“Cosafa had formally sought approval of the South African Football Association (Safa) for the tournament to be staged in their territory, at no cost to Safa; but as we have failed to receive the requisite permission from Safa, who cited the non-availability of dates in November/December from the PSL as the reason, Cosafa is forced to cancel the event,” Cosafa said in a statement.
It comes as a huge disappointment to the region as a commercial sponsor was in place for the 2014, 2016 and 2018 events, but their participation was contingent on the tournament being played in South Africa due to the existing high standard of playing and broadcast infrastructure in the country.
“The Cosafa Cup plays a crucial role in helping develop the national teams of member associations and this year would have been of huge benefit as they prepare for qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations,” said Cosafa president Suketu Patel.
“No one is more disappointed than I, but now we can only work even harder and look forward towards the hosting and sponsorship for the 2015 tournament.”
After Zimbabwe withdrew their hosting of the 2014 event, Botswana was selected as the destination for the tournament, but a short lead-time meant no suitable sponsor could be found for the event.
